The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthyenterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:1: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;2: High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of theworthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;3:The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business andcommunity life;4: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we say and do:Is it the TRUTH?Is it FAIR to all concerned?Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

If you are not a Rotarian, live or work in the greater Banbridge area and are interested in learning more about Rotary, please contact us via the link on our home page. We would be pleased to talk to you about Rotary and how you, too, may become a member of this worldwide service Organisation.

Rotary International District 1160

A Brief History of Rotary

The first Rotary club in the world was organised in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in a spirit of friendship and understanding a group of men, each engaged in a different form of service to the public. That basis for membership - one person from each business and profession in the community - still exists in Rotary. At first, the members of the new club met in rotation at their various places of business, and this suggested the name "Rotary".

Since 1905, the ideas of Paul Harris and his friends have become ideals which have been accepted by people of practically all nationalities, and of many political and religious beliefs. Today there are Rotary clubs in Austria and American Samoa, in Brazil and Brunei, in India and Italy, Scotland and South Africa - in 166 countries and 35 geographical regions. The universal acceptance of Rotary principles has been so great that there are now more than 31,500 Rotary clubs, which have a membership of about 1,225,000.

The general objectives of Rotary clubs in every country are the same - the development of fellowship and understanding among the business and professional leaders in the community, the promotion of community-betterment endeavours and of high standards in business and professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal - the "Ideal of Service", which is thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others.